The Cardinals Anquan Boldin shows his emotions after scoring a touchdown against the Vikings during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Sunday, December 6, 2009. David Wallace/azcentral sports

Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald tries to drag teammate Anquan Boldin into the endzone against the St. Louis Rams during the second quarter of their NFL game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 in Glendale. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown as the Cardinals defeat the Detroit Lions in the closing minutes during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. At far right is Detroit Lions cornerback Anthony Henry (32). Carlos Osorio, AP

Baltimore Ravens' Anquan Boldin (81) catches a pass as New York Jets' Kyle Wilson (20) looks on during the third quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Sept. 13, 2010. The Ravens won 10-9. The A

Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens scores a touchdown passed by Joe Flacco #5 in the fourth quarter against Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin, left, wide receiver Torrey Smith (82), third from left, running back Carlos Hyde, front center, and tight end Vernon Davis (85) sit on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. The Associ

In an age in which athletes and other celebrities try to build brands by presenting filtered versions of themselves to the public, Anquan Boldin was refreshingly honest.

The former Cardinals receiver approached most everything with uncommon bluntness, from the way he played football to the greeting on his cell phone’s voicemail.

“Yo, it’s your boy, Q. Leave it.”

“Q” announced his retirement on Sunday, two weeks after signing with the Bills. In his 14-year career, the first half of which was spent with the Cardinals, Boldin caught 1,076 passes, which ranks ninth all time, for 13,779 yards, 14th best. He helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl in 2012, scoring four touchdowns in the playoffs that season.

Those are achievements that will earn him serious consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

During an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday, Boldin said his passion for the game remains strong, but he was deeply bothered by the protests and violence in Charlottesville, Va., last week. For years, Boldin has been active for social causes, including criminal justice reform, and he plans to devote his energy to those.

“There’s something bigger than football at this point,” Boldin said in the interview. “It’s shocking for me to say that. I never thought anything would take the place of that passion, but it has.

“I’m uncomfortable with how divided we are as a country. This is not just a fly-by-night decision for me. I do have a duty to stand up and make my voice heard.”

In Arizona, part of Boldin’s football legacy was helping to change the culture and direction of the Cardinals franchise. That’s why his career should be defined by more than just numbers, especially his years in Arizona.

Due to a slow 40-yard dash time, Boldin dropped to the second round of the 2003 NFL draft, and wasn’t even the first receiver picked by the Cardinals. Bryant Johnson was.

Taking Boldin was hardly a no-brainer, and there was considerable disagreement among the Cardinals' hierarchy on draft day. The credit for Boldin’s selection should go to General Manager Steve Keim, then a scout covering the eastern United States, and receivers coach Jerry Sullivan.

It was clear early on that the Cardinals had something special with Boldin. In his first game, he caught 10 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions. It was the most receiving yards ever by someone in his first NFL game.

What was more impressive, however, was Boldin’s reaction to the record after the game. The Cardinals committed 12 penalties, lost two fumbles and had an interception returned for a touchdown in that game, a loss to the Lions.

Boldin muffed a punt, marring an otherwise perfect day for him personally.

“I would give those stats back for a win,” he said.

Over the next few years, Boldin became the face of the organization. Scouts were told to look for players with his kind of passion. Teammates, including receiver Larry Fitzgerald, saw firsthand what hard work and toughness looked like.

In 2005, the Cardinals rewarded Boldin with a contract extension, but less than three years later that contract became the source of contention. He said the Cardinals reneged on a promise to give him a new contract. Club officials countered by saying an offer was made to Boldin's agent.

Boldin remained with the team for two more years, and in 2010, the Cardinals traded Boldin and a fifth-round pick to the Ravens for third- and fourth-round selections.

“We built something special,” Boldin said during an appearance on “The Blitz” on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM on Monday. “I will always (remember) taking one of the worst teams in the league and we completely rebuilt it. Arizona is still a place I consider a football home.”

Anquan Boldin’s 5 most notable Cardinals moments

Sept. 7, 2003 –In his first NFL game, Boldin catches 10 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. It was the most receiving yards by a player making his NFL debut.

July 24, 2008 – After the team’s conditioning run to open training camp, Boldin rips the Cardinals for allegedly reneging on a promise to give him a new contract. Boldin had three years remaining on his deal.

“It's not semantics,” he said. “It's, 'Anquan, we're going to get you done before the start of next season.' That's exactly out of their mouths.”

Sept. 28, 2008 – Boldin suffers a fractured sinus membrane, a jaw injury and a concussion against the Jets in New Jersey. The injury requires surgery. Seven plates, 40 screws are used to repair his face, and his lower jaw requires wires to fix.

Oct. 26, 2008 – Boldin returns to action. He missed only two games. He catches nine passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns. He also gains 30 yards on a reverse.

2009 – Boldin finishes his last season with the Cardinals. He has 586 receptions, the most in franchise history at the time. He now stands second behind Larry Fitzgerald (1,125).